Farm level yield gap analysis in soybean crop in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra State

Introduction

Soybean [Glycine max (L.)] originated in the eastern region of Northern China, where it was domesticated by farmers and valued as an oilseed crop rich in essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. As a legume, it is adaptable to tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. India is the fifth-largest producer of soybeans in the world (ICAR-IISR, 2023). In India, soybean is a significant commercial oilseed crop, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, where it is a major rainy-season crop in the central part of the country. It holds the top position among oilseed crops in terms of both cultivated area and production (Kuchlan). According to the first advance estimates by the Government of India, soybean production for the 2022-23 kharif season is projected to reach 13.60 million tons, cultivated over an area of 120.90 lakh hectares. More than two-thirds of the total area and production come from six key states: Madhya Pradesh (50.18 lakh hectares), Maharashtra (49.10 lakh hectares), Rajasthan (11.51 lakh hectares), Karnataka (4.43 lakh hectares), Gujarat (2.22 lakh hectares), and Telangana (1.75 lakh hectares). India is the fifth-largest producer of soybeans in the world (ICAR-IISR, 2023). Despite its importance, there remains a significant gap between potential yield (Yp) and actual yield (Yₐ) in many soybean-producing regions. Globally, the average soybean yield is approximately 2.8 tons per hectare, while the potential yield under optimal management and environmental conditions can exceed 4.5 tons per hectare in many areas, depending on agroecological conditions (Van Ittersum et al., 2013) [15] . Even though India's soybean productivity increased from 426 kg/ha in 1970-1971 to 1158 kg/ha in 2022-23, it is still far less than the crop's potential. Thus, the main source of concern in India has been the low crop productivity and significant fluctuations in it. In contrast to the national average of 1158 kg/ha, simulation studies conducted throughout India have shown that the crop's climatic potential is 3000 to 3500 kg/ha, while its rainfed potential is 2000 to 2500 kg/ha. (DA&FW 2023-24). Combination of different environmental, management and socio-economic variables and their interactions determines crop yield and its variability (Tittonell and Giller 2013) [13] . Despite the fact that inherent properties of soil and rainfall play significant role in determining crop yield, management also plays important role (Yengoh, 2012) [17] . The analysis of yield gap, which is obtained from the analysis of difference between potential and actual yield, arises due to various factors, including suboptimal agronomic practices, www.extensionjournal.com pest and disease pressures, soil fertility limitations, and socio-economic constraints. The extent of gap between the actual and potential yields indicates farmers resource base and technical ability in a given environment and is important for agricultural policy development and resource planning in crop production. (Angulo et al. 2012) [2] . However, though yield gaps between experimental stations and farmers' fields are well understood (Pala et al. 2011) [11] . However, yield gaps among farmers' fields cannot be generalized based on studies conducted in specific locations due to differences in biophysical and socioeconomic conditions. Lobell et al. (2009) [7] suggested that addressing any location-specific yield can help to build specific responses to local circumstances. To address locationspecific yield gaps, it is important to identify factors that contribute to the difference between farmers fields and experimental stations, as well as within farmers fields themselves. The present study was undertaken to study yield gaps between an experimental stations yield and farm yield and also gap within farmers fields. This is followed by analyses of determinants explaining the yield gaps. Findings of this study may make important contributions to interventions for improving soybean yield in study area as well as in other areas with similar environmental conditions.

Conceptual Framework

Yield gap is the difference between the potential and actual yields. The productivity of the crop primarily depends on the extent of the levels of resources used and total management of crop. Crop production is influenced by a combination of biophysical, agronomic, socio-economic and policy factors (FAO, 2010). Farmers with very limited income are risk averse and show lower tendency to experiment and utilize new technologies compared to farmers with better asset possession. For practical purposes it is important to study the yield gap between maximum attainable yield and the farmers actual yields, whereby maximum attainable yield is the yield achieved at any agricultural research station within the same agro-ecological zone (Singh et al. 2009) [12] . But most of the farmers cannot afford the inputs and financial resources or the technical expertise to achieve yield compared to experimental stations. Their yields are therefore likely to be below maximum attainable levels and are termed as actual yields or average farmer yields. Lobell et al. (2009) [7] Gave a conceptual framework for depicting yield gap indicated in the figure are as follows:

Materials and Methods

Study area

Study was undertaken in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra (Table 1). Soybean, groundnut, bajra, maize etc. are the major crops grown in these districts in kharif season, while sorghum, wheat, chickpea etc. are grown in rabi season. Cultivation of Soybean in Ahilyanagar district is on area of 1500.56 hectares and a production of 2578.20 tonnes, followed by Nashik and Solapur in Western Maharashtra (Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra).

Sampling framework

Using simple random sampling technique, two blocks were www.extensionjournal.com selected from a district namely Shrirampur and Rahuri while four villages were selected from each block, comprising a total of 8 villages for complete study. From each village, twenty-four farmers were selected randomly as respondents making total sample of 192 soybean cultivating farmers.

Data collection and analysis

The data were collected using focused group discussion with the villagers and in depth interview of selected respondents using standardized interview schedule.

Response was elicited from the farmers on whether or not they face particular listed constraint while cultivation of the soybean. Collected data was categorized under major heads and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. [7] Farm level yield (FY) Farm-level yield refers to the actual crop yield obtained from individual farms, which can vary significantly due to numerous factors such as environmental conditions, management practices, and resource availability. Farm level www.extensionjournal.com yield (FY) is the average yield achieved by farmers in a particular farm. (Fischer et al., 2014). In the present study, average farmers yield(AFY) refers to the average yield achieved by the average farmers (n=160) on their farms. Similarly, progressive farmers yield refers to average yieldson the Progressive farmers field (n=32). Thus the three yield gaps were calculated across each category of farm size. [9] .

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

The research study aimed at analyzing yield gap in soybean in tehsils of Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra state. The paper also discussed socioeconomic profile, Adoption of soybean production technology and determinants of yield gap in the study area. The findings revealed significant amount of yield gap between potential yield and farm yield.

As potential yield was obtained controlled environment with proper management practices and adequate amount of inputs. Because of shortage of resources and improper management practices the farmers in the study area not been able to take potential yield. However, it is possible to narrow this yield gap trough diffusion of technology to the farmers field through extension services, on field demonstrations and timely trainings. Findings of the study in case of yield gap between progressive and average farmers revealed that despite similar bio physical conditions, there was significant amount of yield gap. The per ha estimates of yield level of soybean production revealed that the yield gap III were highest around 29.06 percent. This implies that with the present level of resource use by the average farmers the yield could be increases up to 29 percent as compare to progressive farmers if proper technologies and management practices used thereof. The yield gap in soybean showed that the yield of soybean was fluctuated successively in different farms. Implying that there was tendency towards decreasing yield gap with the increasing landholding size. Observed yield gap I, yield gap II, and yield gap III on marginal farms were 14.36 per cent, 20.47 per cent, 31.46 per cent respectively which were highest among other farm size groups. Medium and semimedium farms, though performing better, still show considerable gaps, indicating room for improvement in resource optimization and technology adoption. This consistently large gap across all farm sizes indicates systemic inefficiencies in achieving the potential farm yield.

References

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